My Artist Alley display has leveled up! You might remember this old one:

Anatomy of an Artist Alley Table - Part 2

Retractable Vertical Banner - $300 - A pricey item, to be sure, but the fact I don't have to carry around a big pvc pipe set nor have it taking up space in my car makes this item well worth it! This vinyl banner pulls out from and retracts back into a spring loaded base that is about as big as a tabletop easel and very lightweight. Adds to my vertical appeal and allows people to notice me over the heads of the crowd. Mine was printed by Graphic Signs Atlanta.

Standing Easel - $13 - These simple wooden easels are great for propping large prints for that eye-catching vertical appeal! I've been using these to prop the blow up of my book cover at book signings as well. When I'm not promoting the book, this cover image will be replaced by a piece of art instead. Bought at Joanns Fabrics and Crafts.

Gridwall Cubes - $30 - Also called wire cube storage. These have been with me since the beginning! I use them to clip prints, mousepads, and prints to, though I'm looking for an alternative display method for the masks currently. The wire distracts from their detail so I'm either going to cover them with fabric or by some gridwall hook attachments that project from the wall so the masks can be placed on them some distance from the grid instead. Found mine at Target.

Mannequin Head - $40 - Affectionately named Shay, she helps bring more visibility to my masks and other artisan crafted items! Her ears are pierced so I can add earrings as well as display a necklace and a mask all on the same head. Found her at Store Fixtures, USA.

Visa/Mastercard Sign - $5? - A simple plastic sign used to notify customers that I take credit and debit cards. I printed it off on cardstock and slipped it into the stand. You'd be amazed at how comforted people are to know that you can accept plastic money! Many people don't carry cash anymore, either because they prefer not to or because they're trying to limit their budget. Accepting cards is a good way to be that evil influence prompting people towards impulse purchases. That sounds bad, but hey, it's true! Can't recall where I got this sign and how much it was, but it couldn't have been more than $5 and probably came from Walmart or Staples.

Hi! I am planning to have a table this year at a convention (with my boyfriend) any tips on how to get things going? Anything would help. We plan to sell art, hats, tails, and other things. (possibly buttons, what are your opinions on those?)

I think the gridwalls would be perfect for you guys since you can hang things from them. The best advice I can give is to go vertical! Things laying flat on a table get less attention than those hanging up. Also clear signage is a must. You can make some from folding little triangles of paper or propping up bits of mat board you've affixed signs too. Staples and other office supply places have cheap clear sign holder that you can put prices in as well. The more easily and quickly a customer can find the price, the less chance of them getting bored or distracted and moving on without making a sale.

Buttons sound like a good idea to me. People love cheap cute small things.

I would ask your art show/ art alley director about this? Some shows will provide you with a form that you can fill and send out, along with a check for the taxes. Usually when I go to a show, I charge an 8% markup representing the sales tax of the county where the event is held out. You can generally find that rate online, if the artist alley director doesn't know. Otherwise, you may end up having to take the tax out of your profits later.

BUT I should say this is if you're even worried about reporting taxes. If you're doing this as a hobby activity that's not netting you more than say $3k a year, I would say don't worry about reporting until it's more of a large scale business. That's just me, however, and some folks like to be a little more meticulous even if they're only doing things as a hobby. It's up to you!

Oh and by 'check with taxes', I mean that YOU would send a check with the tax money and a copy of the form. Internet-phrasing-FAIL. Hopefully the directors can clear things up for you a bit! And again, good luck and have fun with your first selling experience. ^^

My little sister actually bought your book at the art store the other day. She loves drawing wolves and anthro, but wanted to expand her horizons. She fell in love immediately with your art. As have I C:

this is a few months out from the original post, but I bought my mini grid cubes from [link]

they have a 3x3 set you can buy, and you can also buy individual panels and connectors with no difference in price. [link]It may end up about the same if you factor in shipping, but I like being able to buy just a few panels if I need to.

They have a lot of other display stuff at good prices and I've never had a problem with their service ^^

For a retractable banner option- Staples office supply now has a $100 collapsible stand (cheaply made, but it works just fine) then go to a print shop and print a banner to the exact dimensions (approx$80) save a bunch!

It's amazing how you can save money online instead! I just ordered a couple of 3-drawer organizers and saved about $40 having them shipped to me directly instead of using the store. O_o I hope the cubes work out for you!

will you be at the anime expo? or is that too far (over here on the west coast...)? i would like to buy one of your books, preferably in person and with a nice lil autograph full of happiness and whatnot...

I'm afraid I've been phasing out anime events lately due to my lower sales at those sorts of venues! I MAY be selling in the dealer's room of AWA, but it is only if I do well at other events.

BUT I'm a frequent attendee of Faerie Escape Atlanta and DragonCon. You can also get a signed copy of the book complete with a special edition print here at the website [link] (there's also the option to get a sketch in the inside and/or a calendar of art from the book)

That expensive banner is so pretty! Nice choice of not having the typical blond angel everyone almost always has. Dark haired angels need love, too. Not to mention proof that dark hair does not mean fallen.